Syria has faced many challenges over the last decade. Years of conflict and subsequent displacement have left many people struggling to make ends meet. Dorcas Syria supports those in need by providing livelihood training and practical assistance to support them in rebuilding their lives and earning a sustainable income. One of our project participants is Shukriya. 

Shukriya is a woman in her fifties who lives in Aleppo. She is married and a mother of five children. Despite her own health issues and caring for two children with health problems, she did not give up. She continued to search for ways to secure a better life for her family. 

In 2011, ongoing conflict and heavy shelling forced her and her family to flee. They left their partly destroyed home behind. While her husband took on various jobs to provide for the family, Shukriya cared for the children. Accessing medical care was a daily challenge due to the conflict and the poor state of health services. During this time, one of her daughters passed away, causing her profound grief. 

A step towards economic flourishing 

When the security situation improved, Shukriya returned to Aleppo in 2019 and made a decision that changed her life. Despite her family responsibilities and the long distances she had to walk each day to attend, she enrolled in a training course in detergent production at the Syrian Amanah Centre and received a certificate. 

After completing the course, Shukriya started her own small detergent-making business even though she had very limited resources and no proper equipment. Her husband supported the venture while working at a small street stall. Later, Shukriya applied to the Dorcas Syria Livelihoods Programme to further expand her business. She participated in focus group discussions, demonstrating strong determination. As part of the programme, she was given the opportunity to attend training in small business management and entrepreneurship. 

Building a sustainable future  

These training sessions equipped Shukriya with improved skills in market analysis, pricing and marketing. She also received equipment to grow her business. Today, she continues to develop her business and expand her customer base by improving the quality of her products. Despite ongoing economic challenges and rising raw material costs, she has not given up. Thanks to her hard work, her income has increased by more than 50 per cent. 

Shukriya says, ‘I am thankful that Dorcas supported my project. Today, I can provide a decent life for my family.’ 

‘I am grateful my windows survived. I don’t know what I would have done otherwise,’ recalls Vira, thinking back to yet another shell landing near her home. Vira, (80), lives by herself in Zaporizhzhia, in the area worst affected by shelling in the ongoing conflict. Following one of the attacks, the ceiling in one of the rooms of her house collapsed due to the blast wave: ‘I saw a bright white glow, and I was very frightened. People died that day, it was horrific.’

People feel most vulnerable during explosions, especially those who are lonely. That’s because the realisation of the unknown and fear quickly creep into one’s thoughts. Vira says that only prayer helps her during such difficult moments.

It is important for Vira to have someone nearby who will listen to her and support her in coping with the anxiety that follows the attacks. Thanks to support from EO Metterdaad, Vira receives psychological support from Dorcas specialist Hanna as part of a home visit programme. During these sessions, the psychologist incorporates elements of art therapy to support Vira in managing the effects of stress. ‘I enjoy our meetings with Hanna. After talking to her, I feel only positive emotions,’ Vira says, smiling. A Dorcas volunteer also visited her to assist with grocery shopping, as this is difficult for Vira due to her advanced age.

Although Vira lives in the city, she has still faced many challenges this winter. Due to pressure fluctuations caused by power cuts, her gas heating was unreliable and poor quality, not to mention expensive. ‘When the electricity came back on, I tried to heat the flat with an infrared heater,’ she explains. To support her during this time of crisis, the Dorcas Ukraine team provided Vira with an emergency response kit to keep her home warm and lit during blackouts. This support has made a real difference to the lives of older people like Vira.

‘I graduated in Business Management, but I couldn’t find a job. As a result, I wasn’t earning anything and was unable to provide for my family.’ Eshetee, a 31-year-old from Ethiopia, was unemployed for a long time. However, after taking part in a training programme run by Dorcas, he was able to open his own barbershop and now earns enough to support his family.

Eshetee is married and the father of a daughter who is just over a year old. He lives with his family just outside Shashemene, a town in south-west Ethiopia. After finishing his studies, he, like many other young Ethiopians, found it difficult to get a job. ‘I was barely earning anything. I took whatever work I could find on the streets, but it wasn’t enough to support my parents or maintain my own family.’

Barber training

Eshetee heard about Dorcas’ vocational training programmes through friends. He enrolled on the barbering course. Within a few weeks, he had mastered the finer points of the trade. He also completed a skills course, which boosted his confidence and taught him about planning and social skills.

After completing the training, he opened a barbershop with the support of a loan. The business is now thriving and attracts many customers. ‘I now earn enough to support my family. I can rent a house and I am financially independent. When my daughter is old enough, I will also have enough to send her to school. I would not have achieved any of this without the training,’ says Eshetee proudly.

Dreams of expansion

He is already thinking about the future. ‘I would like to invest in better materials and new chairs. I would also like to hire staff to allow me to expand my business. Eventually, I hope to open another shop in a different location.’

Jitendra Panda, our Country Director in South Sudan, was born and raised in India. Over the past twenty years, he has lived in many different countries across Africa and Asia, always with the aim of supporting those in need.

‘I studied Humanitarian Assistance in India. After that, I started working for the United Nations (UN) in India. My work mainly focused on people’s health. However, I realised that poor health is caused by many underlying issues. That is why I moved to development organisations that focus on more than just health.’

Journey to South Sudan

In 2004, Jitendra left India for Africa, where he worked in Somalia. Over the following years, he also worked in Namibia, Yemen and Lebanon. The organisations he worked for all had one thing in common: the Christian faith. ‘I believe that everyone deserves protection and has the right to a dignified life. As a Christian, I believe it is my responsibility to support those in need by providing them with basic necessities such as water and food.’

In 2023, Jitendra began working for Dorcas and ZOA* in South Sudan. According to the Country Director, South Sudan is a beautiful country. ‘It has all the natural resources that are needed: water, trees and fertile land. Nature could provide everything; there is enough land to produce food for everyone. Unfortunately, South Sudan faces many difficulties resulting in shortages of essential resources,’ Jitendra explains.

Severe flooding

One of this country’s problems is its climate. South Sudan experiences alternating periods of extreme drought and heavy rainfall. Due to the intense rainfall, large parts of the country flood. People are forced to flee to drier, higher ground, and harvests fail. This not only leads to a lack of food, but also to conflicts in the areas where people seek refuge. Dorcas builds dykes to protect homes and farmland from flooding.

Refugees from Sudan

In addition to drought and heavy rainfall, accommodating refugees is also a major challenge in South Sudan. This is due not only to people within the country seeking safer places, but also to the influx of refugees from Sudan.

After the civil war broke out in South Sudan in 2011, millions of people fled to neighbouring Sudan. Two years ago, a civil war broke out there as well, prompting many South Sudanese to return. However, they find that their homes, farms and land have been taken over by those who stayed behind.

Hosted by communities

Jitendra explains: ‘Many refugees are taken in by the communities themselves. They are given a spot to put up a tent and food is shared. For now, this system works, but at some point the food runs out and conflicts arise. We support the communities by distributing food and providing them with the means to grow more, so that conflicts can be prevented.’

‘Dorcas also works with communities to help them deal with conflicts in a peaceful way. People learn to talk to one another and work on solutions together, preventing disputes from escalating into conflict. ‘My dream is that South Sudan will become a peaceful country where people live together in harmony.’

*In South Sudan, Dorcas and ZOA work closely together. By joining forces, we can better tailor our assistance to the needs of the people in South Sudan. Learn more about the work of ZOA Dorcas South Sudan.

Social farming harnesses the power of agriculture to deliver care and support for people in vulnerable situations. It involves using agricultural resources such as plants, animals, and land to provide health, social and educational services to vulnerable groups. This includes individuals with mental or physical health needs, people facing social exclusion or long-term unemployment, and those recovering from addiction.

Activities on social farms can include animal care, vegetable cultivation, fence maintenance and food production. Often run by family farmers in partnership with care providers, these farms offer flexible, community-based alternatives to institutional care.

This approach comes to life in places like Romania. Since 2003, Attila has been running a social farm that restores dignity and strengthens community ties. Together with older people from the local Dorcas project, he cultivates vegetables and flowers in greenhouses, creating a space where purpose and belonging flourish.

Greenhouses
Behind a modest roadside building, two greenhouses brim with life. Here, Attila grows vegetables and flowers with the help of older people from the local Dorcas project. Together, they sow seeds not only for food but for friendship and purpose.

‘Before we started the farm, there was a lot of hopelessness,’ Attila shares. ‘Now I see smiling faces. There’s a sense of belonging again.’

The work in the greenhouses serves many goals. It provides extra food for older people, helping them stretch their pensions. But just as importantly, it brings people together creating connection, dignity, and a sense of being needed.

A season of growth
Each March, the growing season begins. Participants take on different tasks, from preparing the soil and planting seeds to weeding and harvesting. Their involvement depends on their physical ability, and everyone contributes in their own way. Some earn a small income through their work. Others grow vegetables on their own patch of greenhouse soil. Many take seeds home to plant in their gardens, extending the impact even further.

Harvesting hope
The greenhouses are full of life: lettuce, strawberries, cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers and sometimes flowers, especially lilies, which thrive here. The produce and seeds are sold locally, and the income is reinvested into thesupport programme for older people. But the farm’s impact goes far beyond food and finances.

‘Sometimes schoolchildren visit,’ Attila says. ‘Older people share their knowledge, and suddenly there’s a bridge between generations.’

Attila also employs paid staff many of whom become so inspired by the farm’s mission that they volunteer in other activities for older people. The spirit of giving back is contagious. The change in the community is unmistakable. Where once there was resignation ‘I can’t do anything anymore’ there is now joy, energy, and engagement.

‘There’s more love in the community,’ Attila reflects. ‘This project hasn’t just changed the lives of older people it’s transformed the whole village. Life is more vibrant. People look out for each other.’

These farms are part of Dorcas’ broader strategy to restore dignity, promote inclusion, and create sustainable livelihoods through community-based solutions.

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Khalid is a father of ten from Yemen. He struggled with the harsh realities of drought and poverty, and found it difficult to provide for his family’s most basic needs. His land was barren and his debts were growing. A lack of resources prevented him from cultivating his land, which had a negative impact on his children’s education and wellbeing.

However, Khalid’s situation changed when he was introduced to Dorcas’s Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) project. This initiative aimed to support the households most in need, and Khalid was selected as a participant in the agricultural greenhouse project.

As part of this, he received a modern greenhouse, quality seeds, a drip irrigation system and a water tank. He was also trained in modern farming techniques, crop management and the efficient use of water and fertiliser. With both knowledge and resources at his disposal, Khalid began to cultivate his land with renewed determination.

With continuous guidance from the project team, his crops flourished. When harvest season arrived, his fresh, chemical-free tomatoes were well received in the local market. The income he earned exceeded expectations, enabling him to repay debts, provide his family with nutritious food, and send his children back to school.

Khalid expressed his gratitude, saying: ‘This project didn’t just change my life – it gave me my life back.’ He continues to work in agriculture today, committed to maintaining his greenhouse and sustaining his family’s livelihood.

Khalid’s story shows how targeted, practical support can empower families to regain stability and self-reliance, even in areas affected by long-term drought and hardship.

Running from the northernmost tip of Groningen to the southernmost point in Limburg in eight days. Matthias Jagersma took on this 420-kilometre challenge. His motivation: to raise money for Dorcas projects in Yemen . With his run, Matthias managed to raise no less than 6,000 euros.

How did you come up with the idea for this run?

‘I saw a video on social media of a man who ran the length of Africa. I thought it was such a great idea that I decided to do it too. But I wanted to make it a bit more achievable, as I wasn’t really a runner at all. That’s how the idea arose to run the length of the Netherlands.’

Matthias (right) ran together with his father Adriaan (left)

Why did you run for Yemen ?

‘I myself lived in Yemen for more than six years. I grew up there and saw that it’s not an easy place to live. It’s such a beautiful country, but it’s being completely destroyed. People are hungry, in fact, they lack all basic necessities. There is especially a need for water, food, and a safe place to live. My father set up the country office in Yemen for Dorcas, and that’s how I ended up with this organisation.’

Did you prepare in any special way?

‘I really started running from scratch. First just a few kilometres a week, eventually up to about fifty to sixty kilometres. We also mapped out the entire route ourselves and put together a support team. They travelled along each day with a van and took care of food, drinks, and setting up the tents.’

How did you experience the run?

‘It was a really great experience. It was wonderful to see how different the Netherlands is. We started out among the fields in Groningen, went across the Veluwe, and ended in the hills of Limburg. But it wasn’t all beautiful. On day 2 my friend Floris had to drop out due to an injury. And on the fifth day, I had knee trouble myself. That was really a low point, physically and mentally. I started doubting whether I would make it. Together with my father, I adapted the plan. With the help of a brace and walking poles, I was still able to keep going by walking.’

And did you actually make it to the finish?

‘Yes, fortunately I did. On the last day my knee had recovered enough and I could even run again! Which was just as well, as we made it in just before a huge hailstorm. Crossing the finish line was truly a fantastic feeling.’

Wim van Dorp (71) from Delft took part in the Nijmegen Four Days Marches for the 40th time this year. With his participation in the walking event, he raises money for Dorcas every year. This year, he walked for water projects in Kenya.

‘Everything went very well. On to next year!’ Wim reflects on the 2025 edition.

With his participation, Wim has raised over 2,000 euros for Dorcas’s water projects in Kenya. ‘Water is the most important thing a person needs. You can nicely link that to the Nijmegen Four Days Marches; drinking enough water always plays a big role there, too.’

Wim started walking the Nijmegen Four Days Marches forty years ago, encouraged by his father, who had already been taking part for years. ‘I thought walking was more for children or old people, not for a young lad like me,’ Wim says. Yet his father persuaded him, and he joined in once.

He appeared at the start untrained. ‘It was very tough. I crossed the finish line more dead than alive.’ Yet from that moment, Wim was hooked. ‘It was fantastic. The atmosphere, the people, the whole spectacle. I really caught the walking bug.’

Wim decided to take part again the following year, and every year after that. A total of forty times. However, he never walked together with his father. ‘Because of his age, my father walked the shorter distance, so we never started at the same time. We did meet each other along the route sometimes. My father passed away two years ago. For me, taking part now feels like a tribute to him.’

Except for once, Wim has completed every edition. ‘My grandmother had passed away and was buried on the last day of the Nijmegen Four Days Marches. As the eldest grandson, I had to be there, of course. If you miss a day, you are excluded and unfortunately do not receive a cross.’

Besides raising money during the Nijmegen Four Days Marches, Wim also supports Dorcas in other ways. For 35 years, he has been collecting clothing and other textiles. The reason was the conflict in former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. ‘I saw images of the conflict on television. All those people fleeing. That affected me deeply, and I wanted to do something for them,’ Wim says.

He called the churches in his area and asked them to join a collection campaign for clothing and other items. Around ten churches from Delft and the surrounding area took part. The proceeds from the campaign were overwhelming. ‘A lorry even had to be organised to transport all the items.’

In the years that followed, Wim organised a collection campaign every year. He also placed a container at his house, where people could hand in clothing and other textiles throughout the year. The proceeds were always for Dorcas. ‘Dorcas is simply a reliable organisation that does what it promises. And what I find beautiful about this organisation is that it is Christian and bears witness to this by practically supporting people in need.’

The large-scale collection campaigns are now a thing of the past. However, the textile container is still prominently placed in Wim’s front garden. ‘I’ve stopped all the campaigns and now only collect textiles on a small scale.’

And he continues to raise money for Dorcas through the Nijmegen Four Days Marches. He also plans to be at the start again next year. ‘I hope to continue as long as my health allows. It’s just so incredibly fun. I don’t like big crowds or all that music and noise at all. Yet I really enjoy it. Every time is actually the same, but each time it’s also different.’

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Vitalii and Alona are raising four children, including foster children, in a village in the Zaporizhzhia region, 27 kilometres from the front line. When their apartment in Zaporizhzhia became too small for the family and the ongoing conflict made staying in the city dangerous, they decided to move to the village.

Following the move, Vitalii began farming and selling his produce at the market. Thanks to a grant from Dorcas this year, he was able to install a greenhouse and equip it with heating and irrigation systems, as well as conduct soil and water analysis. ‘I don’t have much experience yet, so also receiving a consultation from a laboratory was helpful. We didn’t know we had fungus in the soil, but now we are working to solve the problem,’ he shares. They plan to grow cucumbers, salad vegetables, and strawberries in the new greenhouse. This will improve the well-being of this large family by establishing a continuous cycle of growing produce for sale.

In 2025, Dorcas expanded its support for farmers in eastern Ukraine, providing grants totalling €16,000 to five households in the Zaporizhzhia region. Despite the constant threat to their lives and livelihoods, farmers remain because, to them, land is not only a source of income, but also a source of dignity, hope and connection between generations. However, mined fields, land damaged by attacks and destroyed equipment remain a challenge for Ukrainian agriculture.

The Zaporizhzhia region has particularly suffered ecosystem disruption due to the destruction of the Kakhovka Reservoir, which has led to a locust invasion this season and threatened the productivity of small orchards. Supporting entrepreneurs in frontline regions gives them the confidence to develop their businesses.

Dorcas Kenya and our partner, Kitise Rural Development (KRD), have recently concluded the Makueni Pasture and Milk Value Chains Project. Through this initiative, we worked to enhance livelihoods in Makueni County by promoting climate-smart agriculture, developing value chains, and empowering young people.

Farming in Kikome village: A practical learning experience

One of the project participants was Boniface, a 28-year-old pastoralist and dairy farmer from Kikome village in Makueni County. He lives with his wife, Faith, and their two children. Before joining the project, Boniface cultivated a small plot of land, but he had limited knowledge of pasture management, seed selection, and planting methods. Consequently, his milk production was low, resulting in an income that was insufficient to meet his family’s needs.

‘Through the project, I was able to join the Kikome Farmer Field School, where I gained practical skills in pasture and milk production,’ Boniface shares.

His strong commitment led to him being selected for a six-week intensive course at the Dairy Training Centre in Kenya, where he gained knowledge of soil fertility, feeds and feeding, breeding and animal health.

‘After the training, I planted more pasture the right way. I fed my animals well and put into practice what I had learnt. My milk yield increased from three to six litres per day,’ Boniface explains.

Income growth and community recognition

With the monthly income he now makes, Boniface can now comfortably pay school fees and support his family. He has become a peer-led farmer, offering guidance to others, and was recently contracted by the government to collect data and register farmers for upcoming agricultural programmes.

Boniface: ‘I highly appreciate the work carried out by KRD and Dorcas. I look forward to expanding my farming business and sharing my knowledge with other farmers.’